“Turn” showrunner Craig Silverstein says Americans who imagine the country was a simpler place during the Revolutionary War are deceiving themselves.

The series, AMC’s next great hope for a hit drama in the vein of “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad,” is inspired by the true story of America’s first spy ring. A cast led by Jamie Bell explores a rebellion that caused families and neighbors to turn against one another as they tried to outwit the British.

“The truth is much more complicated,” Silverstein said. “It wasn’t just an invasion force against scrappy rebels. It was neighbors versus neighbors. … It was complicated then. That’s an America that I can recognize.”

The cast includes both Americans and Brits, and star Heather Lind — one of the Americans — said the Americans are sure to the Brits remember one small historical detail.